A Dirty Matter- Potty Training Twins

So this week I have been potty training not one but TWO two-and-a-half year-olds. Sigh! Sip(s) of vodka(s)!

At first, everyone told me that I was crazy, and that they were too young. ‘I should wait until they were closer to three.’ However, they were asking to go on the potty and actually doing their business when I put them on it – whether it was an individual kid-sized pot or the big one.  So I did my research, which meant reading several books, including this one that I found the most honest and reasonable, and consulted their pediatrician, all of whom told me that the most appropriate age to start potty training was somewhere between 20 to 32 months. Since we are at the 30 month mark now, I thought I would give it a go. I covered the house in plastic drop cloths and stocked up on lots of presents – toys for them and wine for me.

Day one proved to be exhausting, putting them on the potty every 15 minutes, loading them up with their beloved boxes of fruit juice – a very rare treat in our house – and serving them a chest of rewards every time they did their business. These bare bottomed toddlers came running to the kitchen after each pee (and occasional poop) for a prize. I am not above rewards and incentives. The world operates under this model so why should kids be different? We work for money, and their work, as basic as it is, should be paid in kind (if you want my opinion).

That is what my post is really about today – our potty training reward system. This is what seems to be guiding the little process along (as I write this post in anticipation of day three). Hopefully this our last day sans clothes, before moving on to small outings and more appropriate attire. I am adding the big guns to the ‘treasure chest,’ which are big kid underwear. They are motivated by these little bonuses and watching each other receive these rewards is equally compelling.

If you are thinking about potty training and your children operate similar to mine, find your nearest Target or dollar store and stock up on one dollar toys and activities for them to select as rewards for each successful trip to the potty. I say dollar store because they will pee A LOT, and they will want to pee A LOT to receive their prize. The benefit of selecting toys or activities over candy is that they actually have something to keep them busy until the next bathroom trip. When you are on house arrest with two energetic and fickle toddlers, this is a very very helpful device.

As we progress in the week, our reward stash is dwindling, and so is my patience a bit, but we are all powering through and seeing results…most of the tine.